Welcome to 2017. While it always takes a little bit of time to recover from the holidays, taking in any of the following fun events is sure to help things along. Among your choices are a visit from a renowned rock band, three interesting local theater productions, the last chance to see two art exhibits, and a concert by a jazz legend.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, January 5
Junior Players present Rent
The recent visit by the national tour of Rent proved the timelessness of Jonathan Larson's musical, and now the local Junior Players take on an abbreviated version of the show. You can see the group of young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts at Dallas City Performance Hall four times through Sunday.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents The Sorcerer's Apprentice
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra kicks off 2017 with a concert featuring violinist Karen Gomyo and the local debut of conductor Matthias Pintscher. Selections for the concert include Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Debussy's Ibéria from Images, and Dukas' The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. There are four performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Friday, January 6
Cry Havoc Theater Company presents Shots Fired
In an artistic response to tragedy, Cry Havoc Theater Company presents Shots Fired, which details memories of the ambush of police officers in downtown Dallas on July 7, 2016. A group of teenagers compiled interviews of police officers, protesters, and community members about that night and the ensuing aftermath for this documentary play. It runs at Margo Jones Theatre in Fair Park through January 14.
Saturday, January 7
Terence Blanchard featuring E-Collective in concert
Part of the seemingly endless New Orleans jazz tradition, trumpeter Terence Blanchard and his band E-Collective are playing at the Wyly Theatre in support of Blanchard's 2015 album, Breathless. Earlier in the day on the Skyline Terrace at Winspear Opera House, Blanchard joins a free panel discussion called Addressing Issues of Race and Ethnicity Through the Arts, something close to Blanchard's heart.
Sunday, January 8
Museum exhibit closing days
Sunday marks the closing day for both "Kathryn Andrews: Run for President" at Nasher Sculpture Center and "Divine Felines: Cats of Ancient Egypt" at Dallas Museum of Art. Andrews' exhibit centers around politics both real and fake, while Divine Felines shows how cats and lions were revered by Egyptians.
The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Cymbeline
We're in the home stretch, people: Shakespeare Dallas' five-year quest to present readings of every single one of Shakespeare's works ends in May. The 35th in the series is Cymbeline, Shakespeare’s rarely performed romance of power, jealousy, and a journey of love and reconciliation. There are readings on both Sunday and Monday in Hamon Hall at Winspear Opera House.
Red Hot Chili Peppers in concert with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Jack Irons
Believe it or not, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have been putting out albums for over 30 years. They're best known for their run starting with Blood Sugar Sex Magik in 1991, but their debut album came out in 1984. The funk-rock band plays at American Airlines Center in support of their first album in five years, The Getaway, with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Jack Irons serving as opening acts.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers play at American Airlines Center on January 8.
